Stars give Rivera salute

At final Midsummer Classic, Yanks' closer praised by participants

By Kevin Duffy

Updated 6:44 am, Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Photo: Mike Ehrmann

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NEW YORK, NY - JULY 16: American League All-Star Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees takes the field priot to the 84th MLB All-Star Game on July 16, 2013 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 173341585 less

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 16: American League All-Star Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees takes the field priot to the 84th MLB All-Star Game on July 16, 2013 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of ... more

Photo: Mike Ehrmann

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American Leagues Mariano Rivera, of the New York Yankees, acknowledges the crowd as he is introduced during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game, on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ORG XMIT: ASC147 less

American Leagues Mariano Rivera, of the New York Yankees, acknowledges the crowd as he is introduced during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game, on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, in New York. (AP ... more

Photo: Julio Cortez

Stars give Rivera salute

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Before he made his autograph rounds, before he took the mound as an All-Star one last time, Mariano Rivera had to help the kids.

Not the 39 first-time All-Stars, most of whom were playing T-ball when Rivera made his major league debut in 1995.

No, he had to make sure his own kids were squared away for Tuesday night.

Two of his sons, Jaziel and Jafet, stood with Rivera at his locker, the family changing into their respective No. 42 uniforms.

"Is mine on right?" Jafet asked Rivera, who straightened the jersey and tucked it in.

This would be the final time that the Rivera boys would join dad at an All-Star game, the last time they'd roam the outfield for flyballs during All-Star batting practice.

It was sure to be emotional, right?

"I don't know," Rivera said in the hours before Tuesday's All-Star game. "Right now, it's not. In the moment, I don't know."

All Rivera knew was that he had a whole lot of signatures to pen before it all started.

"They know it's my last year, so I can't escape from that one," he added with a laugh.

So has been the story on Rivera's farewell tour. Lots of autographs, lots of ceremonies, lots of nostalgia. Every city he's visited, there's been some sort of commemoration: The Indians framed a gold record of Metallica's "Enter Sandman," the Twins presented him with a rocking chair made of broken bats, the A's gave him a surfboard and a bottle of wine.

Save for a meeting in Kansas City with the Bressette family, who lost their 10-year-old son, Luke, in an airport accident, he said there haven't been many emotional moments. Rivera prefers to talk about "doing his job" rather than getting all sappy. Others, instead, get to say the sappy stuff.

"I think it would be probably the most beautiful touch in the world if we get a lead on the National League and play the ninth inning with the greatest closer of all time coming out of the bullpen," AL manager Jim Leyland said Monday. "I assure you that would happen, but we need to get that lead first. So, there are a lot of scenarios that could be nice, but that's why you play the game."

Rivera been named to 13 All-Star teams. Entering Tuesday, he's appeared in eight of those games, not once surrendering an earned run or a walk, according to BaseballNation.com.

Until he retires — and probably after that, too — the discussion on Rivera will commence. Is he the greatest closer of all-time? Most certainly. Anyone who suggests otherwise is lying (and most likely a Red Sox fan). The real question, the real source for debate, is this: Has there ever been an athlete — in any sport — more dominant at one specific assignment?

Think about it: Is No. 42 a better closer than Martin Brodeur is a goalie? Is he better at his job than Adam Viniateri is at his?

Unfortunately, there will never be a true answer. Comparisons across different sports are inherently flawed. There is, though, a true, unanimous opinion of Rivera, as universally respected as any superstar in any sport.

"A hundred years could go by before there's another Mariano Rivera," Red Sox slugger David Ortiz told reporters Monday. "Amazing pitcher, incredible human being. The game is going to miss him."

Detroit's Max Sherzer, the AL's starting pitcher, told The Detroit Press that, of all the veterans in Tuesday's game, he was most excited to meet Rivera.

"Considering this is his last year and I actually get to shake his hand — as an opposing player, you usually don't get to do that," Sherzer said. "He's the best closer of all time and one of the best pitchers of all time."

Added Mets manager Terry Collins: "Anybody who's ever had a chance to be on the same field as Rivera is an honor. He's going to go down as the greatest there ever was."

That would have been true if he retired after last season's ACL tear. Or if he retired three years ago. But Rivera, appreciative if not sentimental, must be embracing part of this farewell tour.

"There was nothing I had to accomplish," he said. "I didn't have nothing to prove to no one. But I didn't want to leave the game I love.